Memories of Murder | |
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![]() Theatrical release poster | |
Korean name | |
Hangul | |
Hanja | |
Revised Romanization | Sarinui Chueok |
McCune–Reischauer | Sarinŭi Ch'uŏk |
Directed by | Bong Joon-ho |
Screenplay by | Bong Joon-ho Shim Sung-bo |
Based on | Come to See Me by Kim Kwang-rim |
Produced by | Cha Seung-jae |
Starring | Song Kang-ho Kim Sang-kyung |
Cinematography | Kim Hyung-koo |
Edited by | Kim Sun-min |
Music by | Taro Iwashiro |
Production companies | |
Distributed by | CJ Entertainment |
Release date |
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Running time | 131 minutes |
Country | South Korea |
Language | Korean |
Budget | US$2.8 million[1] |
Box office | US$12 million[2] |
Memories of Murder (Korean: 살인의 추억) is a 2003 South Korean neo-noir crime thriller film directed by Bong Joon-ho, from a screenplay by Bong and Shim Sung-bo, and based on the 1996 play Come to See Me by Kim Kwang-rim. It stars Song Kang-ho and Kim Sang-kyung. In the film, detectives Park Doo-man (Song) and Seo Tae-yoon (Kim) lead an investigation into a string of rapes and murders taking place in Hwaseong in the late 1980s.
Development of the film was confirmed in September 2002, after CJ Entertainment purchased the rights to Kim's play, which is loosely based on South Korea's first confirmed serial murders. It is also inspired by detective fiction and elements of Bong's personal life. Principal photography took place across South Korea, including Jangseong County, Haenam County, and Jinju.
Memories of Murder was first released theatrically in South Korea on May 2, 2003, by CJ Entertainment. The film received critical acclaim, with praise for its screenplay, Bong's direction, the performances of its cast (particularly Song's), tone, and editing. It received numerous awards and nominations, and is widely considered one of the greatest movies of all time.[3][4]